Radiculopathy & sciatica decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatica due to a failure to obtain a VA examination prior to the November 2023 rating decision. The Veteran was diagnosed with left lower extremity sciatica during treatment related to his service-connected left elbow condition, which was determined to be caused by lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's initial ratings for lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted at a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the October 2020 decision.,Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for residual scar has been dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his cervical spine condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, effective July 23, 2018. The right ear hearing loss service connection claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is granted. The claims for higher ratings for migraine headaches, mitral valve prolapse, and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, low back disability, and sciatic radicular pain of both lower extremities are also remanded.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and right-sided sciatica pain. The claims are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity cervical spine radiculopathy is granted as secondary to her service-connected cervical spine strain, degenerative disc disease (DDD), and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Board denied service connection for right hip, left hip, and back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active-duty service. The VA medical opinion found no credible evidence that the current disabilities are related to in-service events or injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine conditions, as well as lower and upper extremity radiculopathies secondary to these conditions. The Veteran's right wrist condition is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for fibromyalgia was dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.,Service connection is granted for cervical spine arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, LUE radiculopathy, RUE radiculopathy, LLE radiculopathy, and RLE radiculopathy. Service connection for plantar fasciitis is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless that he requires the regular aid and attendance of another person, as evidenced by his need for assistance with bathing/showering, tending to hygiene needs, eating or self-feeding, transferring in or out of a bed/chair, dressing, toileting, ambulating with his home or living area, and medication management.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not establish the factual need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status prior to December 7, 2020. The Board found that the evidence does not support that he is in need of aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection related to his bilateral hips, lumbar disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeals are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to inconsistencies in the severity of symptoms reported in previous examinations. The Board requires a new examination to determine the current level of impairment.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in providing notice of the right to a hearing, and instructions have been provided for the AOJ to correct this issue.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of July 18, 2002 for the grant of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease with congestive heart failure, left and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been granted effective from February 15, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 28, 2012, finding that there was not sufficient evidence showing he was unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities has been granted, with a disability rating of 20 percent effective January 28, 2014.